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thebookishmel's reviews
405 reviews
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
4.0
4.0-4.5
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Jack and Jill’s background and why they ended up stepping through their “door.” This short story really dove into parental roles in shaping kids’ lives and really carried an intense message. Really impressed!
I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Jack and Jill’s background and why they ended up stepping through their “door.” This short story really dove into parental roles in shaping kids’ lives and really carried an intense message. Really impressed!
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
5.0
4.5
What an interesting installment! I definitely enjoy that in each book, there’s a new underlying story beneath it all. Here, we’re met essentially with an existential crisis and understanding where each character is from. It helps shape their character and understand who they are. The ending lost me a bit but it was so great overall! Definitely enjoyed listening to this series these past few days!
What an interesting installment! I definitely enjoy that in each book, there’s a new underlying story beneath it all. Here, we’re met essentially with an existential crisis and understanding where each character is from. It helps shape their character and understand who they are. The ending lost me a bit but it was so great overall! Definitely enjoyed listening to this series these past few days!
My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows
5.0
*SCREAMING AT TOP OF LUNGS* THIS WAS SO GOOD!!
Being a comedy, of course I enjoyed this SO much!! Like seriously, SO MUCH! Throughout the entire novel, I laughed at all the stupid things each character would do. I’d cackle at Gifford’s banter. I would feel the anger in Jane. I could feel EVERYTHING! It was so well written!
Aside from the writing being so well done to improve the emotional aspect of it all, the play on history was so fun! The entire magic system of the E(th)ians added so much more to the unpredictability of this novel. I truly did not have a single clue as to what the Lady Janies were going to throw my way.
Thank you, OwlCrate for sending My Plain Jane this month and making me want to read this first!
Being a comedy, of course I enjoyed this SO much!! Like seriously, SO MUCH! Throughout the entire novel, I laughed at all the stupid things each character would do. I’d cackle at Gifford’s banter. I would feel the anger in Jane. I could feel EVERYTHING! It was so well written!
Aside from the writing being so well done to improve the emotional aspect of it all, the play on history was so fun! The entire magic system of the E(th)ians added so much more to the unpredictability of this novel. I truly did not have a single clue as to what the Lady Janies were going to throw my way.
Thank you, OwlCrate for sending My Plain Jane this month and making me want to read this first!
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
5.0
4.5-5
I can't fully wrap my head around how I feel about this book because it really just tore me to pieces a bit. The entirety of the novel, I loved seeing Harry grow while still being so stubborn. I loved being able to see his struggle with understanding, but also the struggle of others not believing or understanding in him. The entire plot of the Half-Blood Prince was so well done, and still a "I should've seen that coming" moment, but I was completely unaware. The ending just ruined me, I cannot believe that happened and I'm so wowed at the fact that J.K. Rowling did that to us after building up the relationship for so long.
Also, Harry and Ginny should not be a thing...
... that is all.
I can't fully wrap my head around how I feel about this book because it really just tore me to pieces a bit. The entirety of the novel, I loved seeing Harry grow while still being so stubborn. I loved being able to see his struggle with understanding, but also the struggle of others not believing or understanding in him. The entire plot of the Half-Blood Prince was so well done, and still a "I should've seen that coming" moment, but I was completely unaware. The ending just ruined me, I cannot believe that happened and I'm so wowed at the fact that J.K. Rowling did that to us after building up the relationship for so long.
Also, Harry and Ginny should not be a thing...
... that is all.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
3.0
It’s definitely odd for me to give a book like this such a meh rating because it is such a tragic novel and explores such a terrible time of WWII and the Nazi regime. However, I think what really kills it for me is the fact that I just couldn’t bear myself to listen to it, not because of its content, but because I just genuinely was not a fan of the writing style or the constant switches in perspective.
I often found myself having to go back and listen to certain sections or even full chapters again because it was so sudden with the change and with trying to understand what happened. The jumping back and forth didnt help my understanding of it at all.
I think one positive aspect of the multiple perspectives was how diverse each one was, but also how young they all were. Sepety’s makes a note at the end about how most books about or from this era are written by leaders of each side, but rarely by the youth. This did a great job at exploring that, especially Alfred’s letter writing and him hyping himself up while hiding in a closet. He was my least favorite character hands down, homie was plain annoying.
Overall, I think I’m going to have to give this a reread just because I don’t think I fully grasped everything because it was so confusing the first time around. We’ll see though.
I often found myself having to go back and listen to certain sections or even full chapters again because it was so sudden with the change and with trying to understand what happened. The jumping back and forth didnt help my understanding of it at all.
I think one positive aspect of the multiple perspectives was how diverse each one was, but also how young they all were. Sepety’s makes a note at the end about how most books about or from this era are written by leaders of each side, but rarely by the youth. This did a great job at exploring that, especially Alfred’s letter writing and him hyping himself up while hiding in a closet. He was my least favorite character hands down, homie was plain annoying.
Overall, I think I’m going to have to give this a reread just because I don’t think I fully grasped everything because it was so confusing the first time around. We’ll see though.
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
5.0
So I binged the second half of CoLS today (Tuesday 8/21) and I have no regrets. I continue to be amazed by how invested I am in this world and the characters. A few things that really stood out to me were how well I was able to follow the path of the book, but also have ideas of my own for what could be happening, I was skeptical within reason and it made it so much more fun. Cassie Clare has an incredible way of making the characters emotions reflect how we as readers should feel, and I especially felt that with the interactions between Clary, Jace and Sebastian. It's almost as if you have this hope in the back of your mind, but you won't be able to reach it unless something in the story changes.
Something I've continued to love is the jump from different sets of characters, then having them all meet at one central location for the final scene of the novel. It really builds up the entire narrative really well and gets my heart pounding for whats to come. I definitely saw the end of the book coming though which was a little disappointing just in how I felt, and the epilogue was equally as mushy and predictable.
Big snaps for MAJOR character development in this novel from ALL of the characters. Although most of the development comes from couple dynamics, I think it helps with so much individual growth. We see vulnerable sides from Alec and Izzy who are typically stoic and more trained for their emotions, which is a huGE change of pace that I really loved. Simon's involvement was fantastic, love him as a character and not gonna lie I was concerned for his well-being midway through, but all is fine.
Overall, I can't believe how much I loved this novel. Really pumped to read/listen to Clockwork Princess.
Something I've continued to love is the jump from different sets of characters, then having them all meet at one central location for the final scene of the novel. It really builds up the entire narrative really well and gets my heart pounding for whats to come. I definitely saw the end of the book coming though which was a little disappointing just in how I felt, and the epilogue was equally as mushy and predictable.
Big snaps for MAJOR character development in this novel from ALL of the characters. Although most of the development comes from couple dynamics, I think it helps with so much individual growth. We see vulnerable sides from Alec and Izzy who are typically stoic and more trained for their emotions, which is a huGE change of pace that I really loved. Simon's involvement was fantastic, love him as a character and not gonna lie I was concerned for his well-being midway through, but all is fine.
Overall, I can't believe how much I loved this novel. Really pumped to read/listen to Clockwork Princess.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
5.0
I knew I was going to finish this in one day, and I'm so upset that I didn't read it earlier. To All the Boys I've Loved Before made my heart melt and jump and squeal in ways I didn't think it knew how, and it gave me just a really wholesome feeling.
Jenny Han is a phenomenal writer in that she really allowed you to understand the dramatics of what its like being 16-17 in high school, knowing that it feels like your entire world is either falling apart, or burning down all because of one simple little event. There were moments where I was like "Lara Jean, its not that serious" but at that age, it really is your entire life.
Peter's character was everything. He is loyal, and sweet, but still such a high school boy acting cocky and just so obnoxious sometimes. But little things like driving a mom van instead of his Audi to make sure that Kitty could be in the car really showed his persona outside of the first layer.
I don't like Josh... or Margot for that matter. Sorry.
The ending kind of broke my heart a little bit. I was at page 348 or something and I knew the novel ended at 355, so I was just wondering the entire time as to if/when/how it was going to get resolved. But after reading the first chapter or two of P.S. I Still Love You , that's obviously going to get explored. I need book 2 right away.
Jenny Han is a phenomenal writer in that she really allowed you to understand the dramatics of what its like being 16-17 in high school, knowing that it feels like your entire world is either falling apart, or burning down all because of one simple little event. There were moments where I was like "Lara Jean, its not that serious" but at that age, it really is your entire life.
Peter's character was everything. He is loyal, and sweet, but still such a high school boy acting cocky and just so obnoxious sometimes. But little things like driving a mom van instead of his Audi to make sure that Kitty could be in the car really showed his persona outside of the first layer.
I don't like Josh... or Margot for that matter. Sorry.
The ending kind of broke my heart a little bit. I was at page 348 or something and I knew the novel ended at 355, so I was just wondering the entire time as to if/when/how it was going to get resolved. But after reading the first chapter or two of P.S. I Still Love You , that's obviously going to get explored. I need book 2 right away.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
3.0
Really a sweet book. I love how Ari and Dante interact with each other, but I think my favorite aspect (which is totally a side-story but like whatever) is Ari’s relationship with his family! They’re all so incredibly in tuned with each other even when it feels like they aren’t. Ari struggles to connect with his dad, but him and his mom share the same kind of humor. It’s also really interesting to see where Ari’s at with his brother’s situation. At 16, life is difficult and weird and awkward, but we really get to see Ari’s growth throughout it all. There’s so much that contributes to the growth that makes this novel so great! I really enjoyed listening to it!!
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
3.0
3.5-4
This was such an interesting novel! It definitely took me a while to fully wrap my head around how this novel was built, but essentially it’s the normalcy of the big and wild and crazy story of the Immortals and the indies.
Aside from the story within a story type deal, there were so many great elements of this book. Firstly, I could clearly hear Mikey’s voice through Ness’ style of writing. It’s so well done and to feature Mikey talking to “you” was a really interesting story telling element.
The next great bit was the representation of Mikey’s OCD, Mel’s eating disorder, but also the depiction of each characters struggles attached to their senior year. It really captured how this group of friends really learned to be there for one another and get through the mess that is senior year without all the crazy supernatural elements.
Overall, a fantastic read. A little difficult to get at first, but so much fun.
This was such an interesting novel! It definitely took me a while to fully wrap my head around how this novel was built, but essentially it’s the normalcy of the big and wild and crazy story of the Immortals and the indies.
Aside from the story within a story type deal, there were so many great elements of this book. Firstly, I could clearly hear Mikey’s voice through Ness’ style of writing. It’s so well done and to feature Mikey talking to “you” was a really interesting story telling element.
The next great bit was the representation of Mikey’s OCD, Mel’s eating disorder, but also the depiction of each characters struggles attached to their senior year. It really captured how this group of friends really learned to be there for one another and get through the mess that is senior year without all the crazy supernatural elements.
Overall, a fantastic read. A little difficult to get at first, but so much fun.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
2.0
I literally wanted to DNF this so bad, but listening to the audiobook made it bearable. I cannot tell you how pointless this entire story felt. There wasn’t a cute lovey romance in my opinion, I didn’t like how they developed, and I just think the “love” wasn’t real. The author tried to be way too relatable with certain phrases or comments and I was just OVER it.